ClubSportsWeekly

Michigan dance club earns national television appearance

By Kristen Fidh

Daily Sports Writer

Kirk Herbstreit won't be analyzing the pirouettes, and Dick Vitale won't yell "Awesome" to the perfect batmas.

Or will they?

Dancing to a compelation from the "Matrix" soundtrack, the Michigan dance club performed in the Universal Dance Association's national competition this past weekend in Orlando. Pressure surfaced for the Wolverines upon making the finals - as the top eight would appear on ESPN.

But for the first time in team history, the 23-member squad walked away satisfied, taking eighth and finally earning the right to be seen on national television.

"In years past, it was so frustrating because we would just miss (the top eight)," co-captain Amy Friedman said. "We would walk away frustrated with our ranking.

"This year, we were the team to beat."

Preliminary judging began in November when the team sent in a videotape of the routine. Michigan earned the ninth spot and began preparing for the trip south.

"We brought on Rebecca Wass as our head coach this year, and she really made an unbelievable difference," Friedman said. "She works with us for the athletic aspect of training such as running and weightlifting."

Six-hour practices during the week before departure provided the needed preparation and the extra confidence for Michigan's stellar performance.

The dancers slid past the semifinals and advanced to the top 15. Cheered on by friends and supporters from Oakland, the team took the stage and the eighth and final birth.

"It was so great to walk up and take a trophy for the first time and to be able to leave with our heads held high," Friedman said.

The performance will air this fall. But one of the nation's top programs will be visible before its television debut.

The team will continue performing during halftime at men's basketball games and between events of men's gymnastics meets.